Approximately 400 drivers who work for industrial, medical and special gas provider BOC, and who are members of the trade union Unite, have voted to accept a two-year pay deal.
The deal equates to a 6.7% pay increase over the two year period. This will be awarded as a 3.5% rise to basic pay and allowances, backdated to 7 June 2018, followed by a further 3.2% pay and allowance increase, effective from 17 June 2019.
Earlier this year, Unite members employed by BOC voted in favour of industrial action after pay negotiations plateaued; however, the organisation’s management and Unite were able to come to terms without strike action taking place.
BOC, which produces atmospheric gases, has sites in Britain and Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Merseyside, Motherwell, Port Talbot and Southampton.
Tony Devlin, national officer at Unite, said: “By sticking together, drivers secured an inflation-beating pay increase.
“At a time when pay across the economy has stalled or is growing at a snail’s pace, it’s worth being part of a union that is prepared to fight for a fair wage so [employees] can keep up with the rising cost of living.”
BOC is unavailable for comment at the time of publication.